PRSA Hampton Roads and Old Dominion University PRSSA Join Forces to Discuss Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Relations Industry
Narketta Sparkman-Key
Kelli Webb
Vincent A. Rhodes
Jazmine Smith
The Public Relations Society of America, Hampton Roads chapter, and Old Dominion University's student public relations chapter (ODU PRSSA) will co-host a Diversity and Inclusion Panel at the Strome Entrepreneurial Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 27.
"Breaking through checkbox diversity, understanding inclusion and accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion" will feature minority professionals, including ODU's director of faculty diversity and retention, Narketta Sparkman-Key.
ODU PRSSA social media director Danielle Gilliam will moderate the event, discussing the importance of the representation of minorities in the PR industry with four local professionals:
● Kelli Webb, founder and CEO of the KBD Group, LLC. Webb is the owner of a public relations firm and has experience in nonprofit, sports, entertainment and hospitality.
● Jazmine Smith, owner of The Brand Experience Experts, founder of Support Her, a therapy group for healing women and the founder of "The Black Coffee Movement," an open platform for unfiltered conversations.
● Vincent A. Rhodes, assistant vice president/chief communication and marketing officer for Eastern Virginia Medical School. Rhodes has more than 20 years of experience managing communications for clients in the education field.
● And Sparkman-Key, who's also an associate professor in ODU's Department of Counseling & Human Services
The discussion will be followed by an informal networking session.
The event is free to attend and dinner will be provided. Please register ONLINE to allow organizers to plan space accordingly.
For more information, contact ODU PRSSA faculty adviser Brendan O'Hallarn at bohallar@odu.eduor 757-683-6681.